Ridley Nearing Decision on Alien 5

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By Paul Davidson

What is actually happening with the much-rumored Alien 5 sequel? Rumors have been flying around that both director Ridley Scott and star actress Sigourney Weaver are interested in bringing the property to life at least once more. Tabloids have been reporting for nearly a year that Weaver was signed onto the project &#Array; reports that were debunked by the starlet herself last spring. However, recent comments dropped by Scott and Weaver hint at something going on behind the scenes.

The suggestion that director Ridley Scott might decide to add a fifth installment to his popular sci-fi/thriller film franchise has been circulating for at least two or three years. Media interest really picked up last month, however, when Scott himself said in a newspaper article that he was interested in making an Alien 5 and even had some ideas for the storyline. He was mulling over two possibilities &#Array; one about an Alien reaching Earth, and a prequel showing the origins of the Alien.

Whether or not work has been done on a script yet, we can vouch for what Weaver told us in an interview last March. The alien-butt-kicking actress told us that a script for Alien 5 was already in place, and that though she hadn't read it, she knew it took place on Earth. Whether or not this alleged script will be any resemblance to the next Alien film (if one happens) is not known.

The project is definitely on Scott's mind now. He told The Latino Review last month that he was close to making a decision on the film. "I will decide in the next 5 weeks," he stated. "I'm looking at Alien 5 [for] sure. Why not? Maybe. There hasn't been a good Pirate Movie either, so I haven't decided yet. It's in the works." Scott's comments indicate that work has indeed been going on to prepare for the possibility of a new Alien flick. The five weeks he gave himself for the decision is nearly up. Has he made up his mind yet?

The answer is a resounding "maybe". Dark Horizons ran this report today:

"Ridley Scott dropped the following quote at a press conference in Sydney this morning &#Array; 'You know, I thought it'd be nice. I'd do it. It really is entirely dependent on the take on the material. It's all about material. I been asked about Alien 5 and I said 'of course.' We've started a script meeting. I mean, I've started it off so i may as well close the door &#Array; if in fact this is meant to be the last one.'"

So it's impossible to get a definite answer from Mr. Scott as yet, but it's an awfully good bet that science fiction aficionados can expect an affirmative announcement in the months to come.